Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,508, John Gillbert, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Gilbert, John or Gilbert,
N. 19,508
Polly
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 80
Polly Gilbert,
Widow of John Gilbert, deceased, Mass (late pennoner) who died on the 1st of November 1832, of Norfolk Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a private of Infantry 4 months in the company commanded by Captain Foss, of the reg't. commanded by Hemen, in the Massachusetts line for 11 months, 29 days, 100. of duty and 32 days, matrip.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 44 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of August, 1838, and sent to Joseph Hodges, Esqr. Jamaica Plains, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838, $ 88.60 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 22.15
$110.75
5 years pension { Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838, Section the 1st }
Recorded by G. J. Rhodes Clerk, Book A, Vol. 1, Page 90.

Wt. of 28 Augt. 1838 to Joseph Hodges, Engr. enclosing the certificates.

ms. 17
17
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton - in and for said County on the Twenty Eighth day of August - one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared John Gilbert a resident of Norton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy one years , who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration. That he entered the Service of the united States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated to wit, I volunteered as a private soldier in the month of February 1776 in a company commanded by Capt. Israel Trow and in Col Jacob French Regiment for two months I was stationed at a place called Winter Hill and also at Braintree & Dorchester near Boston , I will state further particulars of my Service in my answer to the fifth interrogatory. and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
2 months
 1. Where, and in what year were you born? Ans. That he was born in Norton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and Sixty - in September the 30 th day - of the year aforesaid  2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? There is a record of my age in the office of the Town Clerk of Norton a certificate of which is herewith annexed  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Ans, Norton  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Ans, I was never drafted, I always enlisted voluntarily, I was never a Substitute 

substitute, for whom? ans I was never drafted, I always enlisted voluntarily, I was never a Substitute
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. I was present when the British evacuated Boston in March 1776 and at the expiration of said two months I was verbally discharged by Captain Drow, & returned home, I refer to Salmon Cobb, affidavit to prove this my first campaign.
6 I again volunteered in the month of May in the year 1776 into a company commanded by Captain Josiah Smith & in Col. Whitney's Regiment for the term of six months, we were stationed at a place called Nantasket (now Hull) in Mass. - and at the expiration of said six months I received a verbal discharge from Captain Smith & I well remember that it was on the last day of November of that year. I refer to John Cobb's affidavit to prove this my second campaign.
2 I again volunteered in a company commanded by George Makepeace. It was a company of Artillery, & marched to a place called Seekonk & were attached to Col. John Dagget Regiment & marched to Warren in the State of Rhode Island & was there stationed about three weeks, & was then moved over the river & marched to Siverston & there stayed to the end of our campaign which was in the whole as I believe about two months, I know it was not less than over

one & a half month. This was in the winter of 1776-7 and at the end of said Campaign I was verbally discharged by my officers & returned home, I have no documentary evidence, & there is no living witness that I know of by whom I can prove this my third Campaign - I must depend on my own Statement as confirmed & supported in this declaration. In the month of July in the year 1777 I again enlisted for three months in the Town of Boston, the name of the man that had the enlisting orders was Morton, I marched from Boston to Springfield on Connecticut river, and was placed under Col. Mason in the Laboratory at said Springfield, and was there employed the greatest part of the time in making cartridges, during this Campaign Gen. Burgoyne was taken, & some part of his Army was brought near the Laboratory where I was stationed and at the end of my term I was verbally discharged by order of Col. Mason & returned home, I have no documentary or other evidence by which I can prove this Campaign but must depend on my own Statement & supported in this declaration. The last was my fourth Campaign.
I again volunteered for one month in a company of Artillery commanded by Captain Seth Smith of Norton and it was in the Spring of the year of 1778 I marched from said Norton to Tiverton in the State of R. I. and we had some skirmishes with the enemy when they made an attempt to land near that place and at the we were ordered to fire our piece by an officer who had the command at that place - I am not quite certain but think it was General Cornell, and at the expiration of said term I was verbally discharged by Capt. Smith & returned home. I have no documentary or other evidence that I know of to prove this my fifth Campaign and must depend on my own Statement as it is supported in this declaration.

one & a half month. This was in the winter of 1776-7 and at the end of said Campaign I was verbally discharged by my officers & returned home, I have no documentary evidence, & there is no living witness that I know of by whom I can prove this my third Campaign - I must depend on my own Statement as confirmed & supported in this declaration. In the month of July in the year 1777 I again enlisted for three months in the Town of Boston, the name of the man that had the enlisting orders was Morton, I marched from Boston to Springfield on Connecticut river, and was placed under Col. Mason in the Laboratory at said Springfield, and was there employed the greatest part of the time in making cartridges, during this Campaign Gen. Burgoyne was taken & some part of his Army was brought near the Laboratory where I was stationed and at the end of my term I was verbally discharged by order of Col. Mason & returned home, I have no documentary or other evidence by which I can prove this Campaign but must depend on my own Statement & supported in this declaration. The last was my fourth Camp.
I again volunteered for one month in a company of Artillery commanded by Captain Seth Smith of Norton and it was in the Spring of the year of 1778 I marched from said Norton to Tiverton in the State of R. I. and we had some skirmishes with the enemy when they made an attempt to land near that place and at the we were ordered to fire our piece by an officer who had the command at that place - I am not quite certain but think it was General Cornell, and at the expiration of said term I was verbally discharged by Capt. Smith & returned home. I have no documentary or other evidence that I know of to prove this my fifth Campaign and must depend on my own Statement as it is supported in this declaration.

6
I again enlisted, and it was my sixth campaign my term of service was six months, under Captain Richardson of of Atleborough, the last part of the time, our company was commanded by Captain Cole, in Col. John Jacobs Regiment & in Gen. Cornwall Brigade & this campaign commenced as I think the forepart of June of the year 1778 we were first marched to Naves Ferry, & then to Howland Ferry, and were stationed along the shores to guard the places where the enemy were attempting to land, we were on the Island at the time of the Battle and were called to join in the action but did not get within musket shot of the enemy & were not ordered to fire, but the artillery which were in our rear kept up a constant fire during the action, and at the expiration of said six months I was verbally discharged & returned home. I refer to Thomas Danforth officer to prove this my sixth campaign.
I again enlisted for my seventh campaign, & it was for three months in Captain Benjamin Bates Company & Col. Abiel Nitchel Regiment, and in the year 1780. I laboured upon the fort that was then repairing upon R. Island where we were stationed part of the time. and at the expiration of said term I was verbally discharged by my officers, & returned home I refer to Thomas Danforth officer to prove this my last campaign. I well remember Generals Putnam, when I was at Winter Hill, and Sullivan & Cornwall on and about Rhode Island.

I think the Troops in which I served during my several campaigns were State Troops or militia of Massachusetts.
6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? ans. I was a Soldier. I never had a written discharge from the service, I never was an officer & never had a commission in the army.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution. I refer to the Rev. Pitt Clarke and Just Shepherd both of Norton in the County of Bristol -
And the said John Gilbert doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  John Gilbert
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
WE Pitt Clarke a Clergyman residing in Norton - and Just Shepherd residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Gilbert - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventy one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Pitt Clarke Just Shepherd
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Pitt Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman - resident in the town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Just Shepherd - who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL ss.
I Anselm Basset Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applica- tion of John Gilbert of Martin in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Basset
John Gilbert C.R. 1787

John Gilbert was born September 30 th 1760
A true copy of Record. Attest John Innes { Town Clerk
Wor-Ton August 24 th 1832

I Thomas Danforth of the Town of Norton in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being seventy one years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with John Gilbert of the same Norton for a great number of years, and that he served as a private soldier in the army of the American Revolution two campaigns, the first was six months in a company commanded by a part of the time by Caleb Richardson & the other part by Capt. Cale. & in Col John Jacob Regiment I served myself in the same Regiment, & it was in the year 1778 & we were in Sullivan's Expedition (so called) & the other campaign was three months in the year 1780 in Benjamin Bates company and in Col Abiel Mitchell Regiment and at this campaign we worked on the fort on the where we were stationed during both of said campaigns, & in the last campaign I served as a major fifer in the same company. & I think our troops were called State troops of Massachusetts Dated at Norton this 13 th day of August A D 1832
Thos Danforth

Bristol county { Commonwealth of Massachusetts Before me one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Bristol per- sonally appeared Thomas Danforth subscriber to the within affidavit, and made oath that the same is true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name and quality this 13 th day of August A 1832.
Corr d Leonard Justice of Peace
Bristol January 23 rd 1833 I certify that Thomas Danforth who signed the within affidavit is in my opinion a disinterested & credible witness.
Corr d Leonard Justice Peace

I Salmon Cobb of Mansfield in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy Years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with John Gilbert of Norton in the aforesaid County & State for a great many years and that he the said Gilbert served as a Soldier in the Army of the American Revolution in a company with me, one campaign of two months, it was from the first of February 1776 to the first of April of the same year. we were in a company commanded by Capt. Israel Trow of Norton & in Col. French Regiment & were stationed at a place called Winter Hill & at Roxbury, & Dorchester, near Boston the troops to which we belonged as I understood were State troops of Mass.
Dated at Norton this 21 st day of August 1832
Salmon Cobb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss. Before me, one of the Justices of the Peace County } within and for the County of Bristol, personally appeared Salmon Cobb Subscribers to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true, according to his best knowledge & belief, in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 21 day of August A D 1832 Crown & Leonard Justice of Peace

Bristol J s January 23 rd 1833 I certify that Salmon Cobb who signed the within affidavit is in my opinion a disinterested & credible witness Coron er Leonard Justin Pearce

I John Cobb of Mansfield in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being seventy four years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with John Gilbert of Norton in the aforesaid County and State for a great number of years and that he the said Gilbert served as a Private Soldier in the Army of the American Revolution one campaign of six months in a company commanded by Capt. Josiah Smith & in Col. Whitney's Regiment, and we were stationed at a place called Nantasket (now Hull) in said State of Massachusetts, and it was in the year 1776 & our troops were Massachusetts State troops, & I served as a Soldier in the same company & at the same time.
Dated at Norton this 17 th day of August A 1832 John Cobb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss. Before me, one of the Justices of the County } Peace within & for said County of Bristol personally appeared John Cobb. Subscriber to the above affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 17 th day of August 1832 Crown J. Leonard Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. I Lincoln Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Cromwell Leonard is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Bristol and qualified to administer oaths affirmed & that the signatures to the certificates beforementioned and subscribed  acknowledged to be his are his genuine signatures -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of January eighteen hundred and thirty three - Lincoln Bassett
Bristol ss. January 23 rd 1833 I certify that John Cobb who signed the within affidavit is in my opinion a disinterested & credible witness. Cromwell Leonard Justice Peace

John Gilbert
No 4841
District
21 months Priso 100 with 15 day Pr of actual
Alma
5.8 14 06 14 32
Jany 12 1833
Page 200.
Hon. J. L. Hodges
H. K. Snow French

BRIEF in the case of  John Gilbert of the County of Bristol in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court,  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years,  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 Feby — 2 — Volunt. Gen. Col. French, capt. Frow   " May — 8 — ditto Col. Whiting, capt. Smith   " 76 Winter — about 2 — d o Col. Doggett, capt. Makepeace   " 77 July — 3 — Private Col. Mason.   " 78 Spring — 6 — Volunt. Capt. Smith   " — 6 — d o Col. Jacobs, capt. Cole   " 80 — 3 — Private Col. Mitchell, capt. Bates  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norton.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

106 — av
Polly Gilbert widow of John
Mass.
abt 7. July 38
Sims
married Aug 1783.
adm.
11 mo. 29 da. pri. Inf. 39.88
32 ds. Matrys. 4.42
$44.30
No deduction
Jos. Hodges Esq. Jamaica Plain Mass.
Jackson & Edwards General Agents

She further declares that she was married to the said John — Gilbert — on the twenty eighth day of August — in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three that her said husband, the aforesaid John Gilbert — died on the day of first day of November eighteen hundred and thirty two —
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz : at the time above stated.
Mary Gilbert
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written.
Before
S. Leland Judge of Probate
I Sherman Leland of Roxbury in the county of Norfolk aforesaid, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said county of Norfolk —
do certify that Mary or Polly Gilbert — the above named applicant for a pension, cannot by reason of bodily infirmity, attend the court.
S. Leland
County of Norfolk
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Jonathan H. Cobb ss. I, Anselm Bassett , Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. William D. Briggs  Sherman Leland is the Judge of said Court, which Court is a Court of record, and that the signature annex- ed to the above certificate is his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this thirty first day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight
Jonathan H. Cobb

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this thirtieth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty eight - - - personally appeared before Sherman Leland, Judge of the Court of Probate in for the County of Norfolk in the Commonwealth aforesaid —
Mary or Polly Gilbert formerly a resident of Norton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth aforesaid; but now a resident of Roxbury - - - in the county of Norfolk - aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of John Gilbert late of Norton in the County of Bristol deceased, who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution —
That the said John Gilbert was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Con- gress of June 7. 1832 — That he resided in Norton aforesaid, when called into the service, as she verily believes, and that he resided there until his death — And she verily believes that he served as a Soldier near two years in the War of the Revolution — But where or under whom she cannot now state, by reason of old age, lapse of time, loss of memory and also for want of a knowledge of his said ser- vices — She therefore refers to the decla- ration of the said John Gilbert, made under the Act of June 7. 1832 and the evidence therewith and also to the records or rolls in the Office of the Secretary of War, to prove his said

services — She is not aware, that she has any other means whereby she can prove the said John Gilbert's services in the War of the Revolution —
She further says that at the time the said Gilbert made application for a Pension under the Act of June 7. 1832 he resided in Norton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts & that his Pension Certificate was granted at Seventy four dollars and thirty two cents per Annum as she verily believes.

August twenty eighth Seventeen hundred " and eighty three, married together John " Gilbert and Polly Barr both of Norton by " Rev d Joseph Palmer."
I certify that the above is a true copy from the record book of the town of Norton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows viz.
"Aug t 28 th 1783"
I John Crane
John Crane
} Clerk of the town of Norton in the County of Bristol aforesaid.
I John Crane, above named, depose and say that I hold the Office of Clerk of the town of Norton in the County of Bristol and Com- :monwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true Extract from the records of said Norton with the exception above named
as certified by me —
John Crane
} Clerk of said Town of Norton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol. July 28. 1838 John Crane made oath to the truth of the above certificates by him signed —
Before me S d Basset Just. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Anselm Barrett whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of July Eighteen hundred thirty eight — A Barrett

I Joseph Hodges of Roxbury in the county of Suffolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty seven years, do testify and say that I formerly resided in Norton in the county of Bristol Commonwealth aforesaid, that I married the daughter of John Gilbert late of said Norton, deceased; that the said John Gilbert, died at said Norton on the first day of November eighteen hundred & thirty two, leaving a widow viz. Mary or Molly Gilbert who is still living, and that she the said Mary or Molly Gilbert has not been married since the decease of the said John Gilbert - Joseph Hodges July 28. 1838
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. July 28. 1838. Joseph Hodges, a credible person, made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed to Before me A Barrett Just. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County, do hereby certify that Anselm Bassett, whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of July Eighteen hundred and thirty eight —
A Bassett

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
en
File No.
19528
Polly Gilbert
Widow of
John Gilbert
Matron Beer to
Act:
July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol.
1
Page
273
[Arrangement of 1870.]

106
Ms.
See let to Joseph Hodges, as commissions certificate let. dated 28 Augt. 1838.

Rolls -
vol 23 p 67 to 88. Capt Josiah Smith 7 1/2 -
6 mo
3 - 27
Malapeague
artillery
- 25
23. 66.
Seth Smith
7
22. 109.
Blank -
5. 29.
11. 29
32
12. 22

John Gilbert Mass. act. 7. June When cash paid J.M.C.
aug 27. 38
Due 1 Nov 1832 paid to Halperud JA

Ingraham
Feby 76 - Israel Iron-
Winter Hill
no roll for that period - 12 mo -
May 76. Josiah Smith
Nantasket
not on 6 mo
□ 77 Geo Makepeace - artillery (Seamen's) R90 1. 15
77. Col Mason Springfield Laboratory - 3 -
78 Seth Smith - artillery 1 -
78. Capt Richardson Hote - R Id 6
X Benj Bates - capt. of vessel Doughty 3
Xvve 3-137 - oct 77 X
6 mo -
on 23. 67 to 88 - 6 mo 76 Josiah Smith -
□ oct 77 - Xvve 3. 7 - on 95 days - Dec 96 - 957
23. 66 - Seth Smith 78. 7 days
Caleb Richardson 22/29 - 27 June to 12 oct 78 -
22. 109 - on 5 mo -

Taunton Mass. Jany. 25. 1833.
Hon. L. Cass, Secy of War, Sir,
In the case of John Gilbert of Norton in this Commonwealth, for a pension, I am directed to say that the applicant is dead, and that his declaration cannot be made more definite — It must therefore be disposed of as it is. — Yours with respect J. B. Bassett

No. 48211
John Gilbert
7

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Gilbert which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes, II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes, V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes in 6 cases No in one VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? no XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
14 Sep 1862

106 Aug 4. Giles Mass. 7 July 1838
L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Boston July 31 st 1838
To J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir Enclosed you will receive Polly Gilbert's declaration.
Please return the Certificate to the care of.
Joseph Hodges Jamaica Plain near Boston Mass